Assam border tightened

The Indian Army intensified its counter-insurgency operations against the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songbijit). The exodus of panic-stricken Bodo and Adivasi people continued unabated. Government sources in New Delhi said that the border with Bhutan — where NDFB(S) is believed to have bases — has been sealed. So far more than 100,000 people have fled their villages. Army chief General Dalbir Singh will review the situation in Assam as security forces launched a major offensive against a tribal militant group that massacred over 70 people in the state recently. The Bodos have been gradually getting wary of the increase in land procurement by immigrant Muslims in Bodo heartland and increasing population of immigrant Muslims in Kokrajhar andother districts.